Six months after a joint takeover that involved Europe’s richest man and drinks giant Red Bull, Paris FC squeezed out a 1-1 draw at Martigues on Friday to lock up promotion to Ligue 1.
The victory means that Paris will have two teams in the French top division for the first time in 35 years.
In Ligue 1, another billionaire-owned club, Nice moved back into the Champions League places with a 1-0 home win over Reims.
Morgan Sanson, who scored twice last weekend as Nice won away to confirmed champions Paris Saint-Germain, scored the winner from a rebound in the 15th minute on Friday.
Nice’s late surge up the table could bring rewards for Jim Ratcliffe, a British chemicals billionaire, who has owned the Riviera side since 2019 and also has a stake in Manchester United.
Along the Mediterranean coast in Martigues, Paris FC brought an instant return for Europe’s richest man Bernard Arnault, the founder of LVMH, the luxury goods conglomerate that owns fashion brands like Dior, Louis Vuitton and champagne producer Moet & Chandon.
Pierre-Yves Hamel gave the Paris FC a 49th minute lead. Martigues levelled 10 minutes later from a corner.
With third-placed Metz held 3-3 at home by Rodez, Paris are sure of second place in Ligue 2 with one round of games to play.
Paris are two points behind division leaders Lorient and could take first place when they host Ajaccio in their final game.
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